AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They all can’t be that way, right?” I ask.
“God, I hope not.” Me, too.
Brooks comes out looking a lot better and plopping down on the other leather couch opposite us. He closes his eyes and releases an exhausted sigh. “I’ve missed that sound. Silence. Who knew this was going to be so hard?”
“Leave it to a man to think parenting is easy,” Syd snickers, walking out with Presley in her arms. Brooks turns his body to look at Sydney.
“That,” he barks, shooting up off the couch, pointing at Presley. “How did you wrap it so tight?”
I tilt my head and look at Sydney, wondering what he’s talking about. Then I notice that Presley is wrapped in a blanket. I remember seeing her wrapped that way in the hospital and thinking that it looked uncomfortable, but she obviously doesn’t mind because she’s content now. She’s sucks on the green thing a couple times and then stops for a few moments then does it again.
“We call it swaddling,” she tells him.
“I don’t care what you call it. Teach me how to do it like that.”
She waves her hand. “C’mon, I’ll show you.”
He follows her into the room. Half an hour later they emerge again, but Brooks is holding Presley now and his body language has gone from despair to accomplishment. He stands taller and smiles down at Presley.
“I’m going to give you the name of a couple books that you should read. And I’ll give you my number. You can call if you have any questions or need any help.”
Addison jumps up. “I’ll take Presley while you guys talk.”
“Oh, now you want her,” Brooks say, smirking.
“Hey! I might not have been able to calm her down, but I brought her,” she replies, pointing at Sydney. He chuckles, gingerly placing Presley in Addison’s arms.
“And I’ll forever be in your debt.”
“What? She didn’t do anything,” Syd says, hitting Brooks in the arm. He looks down at Sydney and smiles. Fuck, I’ve seen that look before. Don’t do it.
“Are you free for dinner one night?”
I groan. “No,” Addison and I both say at the same time.
Brooks looks at Addison. “I’m really not a bad person. I understand why you didn’t want to date me, but geez,” he says, rolling his eyes.
“It’s not you. She has gonorrhea.” I jerk my head to Addison, pushing off the couch to stand. What the fuck? Addison presses her lips together and then she and Sydney bust out laughing.
“I don’t have gonorrhea, Aiden.” Confused, I turn and look at Syd. She waves her hand around. “Inside joke. Anyway, thanks for the offer, Brooks, but I have a boyfriend.”
“If you happen to become single, let me know,” he says, winking. She looks at me, and I raise an eyebrow. She shakes her head. “What am I missing?” he asks, glancing at her and then at me.
I stand a little taller and cross my arms. “Her boyfriend is one of my best friends.”
He shakes his head slowly. “Got it.” We stare at each other for a couple moments before Addison pulls me to the couch. I know he’s Addison’s biological brother, but if I’m choosing sides, it’ll always be Damon’s.
“Put away your caveman cape. You didn’t even get that mad when he tried to pick me up,” she says softly, sitting on the couch. She puts a pillow under her arm to support Presley. I take a seat next to her, pulling my knee up on the couch and turning my body toward her.
I shrug. “That was funny, and it’s not like I was worried.” I lean my hand across the top of the couch and play with her hair while I stare at Presley. She’s a beautiful baby. Especially when she’s not pissed off at the world.
“Let’s make one tonight,” I whisper. Seeing Addison holding a baby awakens something deep inside me. It hits me in my core, a raw, inherent need. I feel Addison’s eyes on me. I look up and she’s looking at me like I’m crazy.
“What?” I ask.
“I don’t know about you, but I can’t forget the last forty-five minutes that easily.”
I shrug. “It wasn’t that bad.”
